Voices reached out through the storm

Published 5:20 pm, Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Once Hurricane Sandy got going strong on Monday, October 29 and the power went out at 6:15 p.m., there was such a feeling of being cut off from the rest of the world. But once we dragged out our battery-powered radio and turned to WGCH, we were connected again. Thanks to Sports Director Rob Adams and Jim Fischer, who did yeoman duty Monday evening keeping WGCH radio on the air for many hours in the midst of the storm.

They took listeners' calls reporting outages and flashes of lights seen in the sky, provided phone numbers of the utility companies for people looking to reach them, offered information about trees down and road blockages. This was really a fabulous service Rob and Jim provided for the town of Greenwich that evening.

It was so great to hear the two of them on the air that night. Listening to all the people who called in to share their experiences (and I was even one of them) made us feel connected and not so isolated and alone in this very scary situation. We sat listening to them through the very worst of the storm until their power finally went out at the station and they were forced off the air.

In this day and age, especially, when there are fewer and fewer "local" shops, newspapers and radio stations, it was wonderful that we could turn to our own local station in a situation such as this, and hear people like Rob and Jim. Thank you, thank you, thank you to both of them!

Barbara Wilkov

Greenwich

Camillo: Thank you

To the editor:

I would like to thank the voters of the 151st District for their strong endorsement of me on November 6. I love my job as their voice in Hartford and take very seriously all that it entails.

The past four years have been rewarding not just in terms of introducing and helping pass legislation that will make Connecticut an even better place to live, but also in regard to the many hundreds of people I have met, some who are relatively new to town, and working to help them with various personal issues and concerns. When someone takes the time to call, email, write, or stop by to see me, I know that the problem they have is at that moment all that matters to them. Thus, it becomes just as important to me to listen, advise, guide, and ultimately resolve the issue for them. When it is a matter that is out of my control or jurisdiction, my job is then to guide them in the direction that will offer the best opportunity for resolution.

To the many people who volunteered, wrote letters, displayed signs and bumper stickers, and offered encouragement ... thank you! To the many Republicans, Democrats, and Independents who upported me ... thank you! Each and every one of you is why I go to Hartford, and why I have just as much enthusiasm as I did in 2008.

Again, it is an honor to represent the district I grew up in, the town that I love, and the state I care so deeply about.

I wish all a Happy Thanksgiving, and much health and happiness in the days ahead.

For all the debate and consternation over our power outages, it is incredible that the most effective and least expensive preventative measure receives no attention whatsoever. Our roadways are lined with trees covered in vines. Vines weaken and eventually smother a tree to death, making it highly vulnerable to storm damage.

Freeing the tree requires a single cut to the vine with shears. For that minimal effort we can improve the aesthetics, health and value of our natural environment while simultaneously reducing our power outages.